There’s something about the rich, spicy flavors of Hunan beef that just makes my taste buds do a happy dance. The sizzle of the beef as it hits the pan, mingling with garlic and chili, transports me straight to the bustling streets of Changsha. It’s like a rollercoaster of flavors with every bite—unexpected, bold, and utterly addictive.
Steps
- Heat the vegetable oil in a large pan over high heat. Add the thinly sliced flank steak in a single layer, seasoning with salt and pepper. Cook the steak for 3-4 minutes on each side until browned, working in batches if necessary.
- Remove the cooked beef from the pan and set aside, keeping it warm by covering it. Add broccoli florets, celery, and diced red bell pepper to the same pan. Cook for 4-5 minutes until the vegetables are tender, seasoning with salt and pepper.
- Stir in the halved baby corn and add the minced garlic, cooking for an additional 30 seconds. Return the browned beef to the pan with the vegetables.
- In a small bowl, whisk together beef broth, soy sauce, oyster sauce, rice vinegar, honey, chili paste, and cornstarch. Pour this sauce mixture over the beef and vegetables in the pan.
- Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook for 1-2 minutes until the sauce has thickened. Serve the Hunan beef immediately, optionally over a serving of rice.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 pound flank steak, thinly sliced
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 cup broccoli florets, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1/2 cup celery, thinly sliced
- 1 medium red bell pepper, cored, seeded, and diced
- 1 cup canned baby corn, drained and halved
- 1 1/2 teaspoons minced garlic
- 1/2 cup beef broth
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons oyster sauce
- 2 teaspoons rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon honey
- 2 teaspoons chili paste (such as sambal oelek)
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch
Nutritional Values
Calories: 920kcal | Carbohydrates: 32g | Protein: 104g | Fat: 40g | Saturated Fat: 24g | Cholesterol: 292mg | Sodium: 4028mg | Potassium: 2556mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 16g | Vitamin A: 4660IU | Vitamin C: 251.6mg | Calcium: 96mg | Iron: 4mg
FAQ
- What is Hunan beef?
- Hunan beef is a dish originating from the Hunan province in southern central China. It features beef and vegetables in a spicy and sour sauce, typical of the region’s flavors. The heat level can be adjusted by varying the amount of chili paste used.
- How do you prepare Hunan beef?
- Begin by browning thinly sliced flank steak in a pan, and then remove it. Cook a mix of colorful vegetables in the same pan. Create a sauce with soy sauce, oyster sauce, beef broth, and chili paste, then pour it over the meat and vegetables, and simmer until the sauce thickens.
- What ingredients are found in Hunan sauce?
- Hunan sauce consists of beef broth, soy sauce, oyster sauce, rice vinegar, honey, chili paste, and cornstarch. This combination results in a rich and flavorful sauce. You can adjust the spiciness by altering the amount of chili paste.
- Can you make variations of Hunan beef?
- Yes, you can customize Hunan beef by using different vegetables like carrots, snow peas, water chestnuts, bok choy, or mushrooms. You can also substitute beef with thinly sliced chicken or pork, and add nuts such as cashews or almonds for extra texture.
- What are some tips for making Hunan beef?
- Ensure vegetables are cut to similar sizes for even cooking. Use your preferred chili paste, such as sambal oelek, and cook the meat in a single layer to avoid steaming. Cooking the steak in batches might take extra time but yields the best results.
Tips
- Ensure all vegetables are cut to a similar size to guarantee even cooking.
- Use your preferred chili paste, such as sambal oelek, chili garlic sauce, or sriracha, to customize the heat level in the dish.
- To achieve a nice browning on the steak, avoid overcrowding the pan by cooking the meat in single-layer batches.
- For added texture and flavor, consider incorporating canned baby corn, which can be found in the ethnic foods aisle or canned vegetable section of most grocery stores.
Equipment
- Wok or Large Stir Fry Pan: Essential for high-heat cooking and stir-frying the beef and vegetables evenly.
- Chef’s Knife or Meat Slicer: Helpful for thinly slicing the flank steak and vegetables.
- Whisk: Useful for mixing the sauce ingredients together smoothly.
- Rice Cooker: If you plan to serve the dish over rice, a rice cooker can simplify the preparation process.
- fry dishes like Hunan Beef efficiently.
